Endocrine Abstracts

Prolactinomas are the commonest type of functioning pituitary adenoma in man. High circulating oestrogen levels are associated with lactotroph proliferation and increased PRL secretion essential for lactation. In vitro, oestradiol induces proliferation of the rat pituitary somatolactotroph GH3 cell line, and chronic oestrogen treatment of Fischer-344 rats in vivo results in lactotroph hyperplasia and adenoma formation, though the mechanisms responsible remain elu...